Posts Tagged ‘coals on their heads’

To be sure, I looked up the word “bless” in the Second Edition of Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary. The root of the word is “blood” and signifies something holy, set apart or consecrated for God. It goes on in the lesser meanings to declare “to make happy” or “wish happiness to”. I think, here in Romans 13:14, Paul means the first definition.

In recovery, we are taught to pray for those against whom we carry resentment and to pray a blessing. That was a difficult task for me in my early recovery years. In later years, we joked among ourselves with the phrase “Don’t make me bless you!” because of Romans 13:14.

To be persecuted in this instance, I am sure, is in reference to our Christianity. We are to bless, call upon the blood of Jesus to cover that person, those who attack us because we are Christians. This is another place I would like our Pastor to give us a teaching. Jesus never cursed anyone, even demons if I recall correctly. He honestly described the hypocrisy of the Pharisees, but never cursed them.

When I listen to the atheists denigrate Christianity, it upsets and angers me. I try and pray for them, but not wholeheartedly. This is an area where I need clarification and some work on my self. Are we to plead the blood and pray that they be set apart as holy to God? If so, I have a lot to “practice” and learn. But if that is the case, that is really cool…like “pouring burning coals on their heads” (Ro. 12:20), only these “coals” could convict to righteousness. Hmmm..